BEACHWOOD, N.J. – Christopher Lyle, the operator of the Jersey Coast Emergency News scanner page, is now the subject of an active bench warrant after failing to appear in Beachwood Municipal Court on Tuesday on a pending criminal trespassing charge.
This is the second time Lyle has not appeared in court on his scheduled date for the matter, resulting in an arrest warrant issued by the judge.
Lyle has evaded justice on this matter, twice saying he did not have a lawyer and once being taken from the courthouse in an ambulance, claiming a medical condition.
According to court reporters, Judge James Gluck issued the warrant after Lyle did not appear for his scheduled hearing on a charge of defiant trespassing stemming from a February incident in Beachwood. The case is now listed with a “Failure to Appear” status and an active warrant.
The case was scheduled to start at 3pm. At 3pm, Lyle’s page showed a new post regarding the claim of a missing body found at a Long Beach Island yacht club. That claim has yet to be verified officially at this time.
Trespassing charge stems from February confrontation
According to the criminal complaint, Lyle is charged with defiant trespassing after allegedly going onto a Beachwood property on Feb. 17 after previously being warned not to do so.
The incident culminated in a physical altercation between Lyle and the homeowner, retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Daniel Leonard. Video of the confrontation circulated publicly and shows Leonard restraining Lyle on the ground until police arrived.
Authorities subsequently charged Lyle with defiant trespassing. The charge remains pending, and Lyle has not been convicted. Lyle later filed a citizen complaint against Leonard, which was dismissed after a brief court hearing for lack of evidence.
Court records show multiple pending cases
Public court records indicate Lyle has several additional active municipal court matters.
Those include Manchester Township charges of disorderly conduct and harassment arising from a February incident. Public records also show another Manchester case involving allegations that Lyle damaged a hotel room and obstructed police officers during an investigation. Those charges also remain pending.
In addition, Belmar Municipal Court records list an active careless driving charge scheduled for August.
Bench warrant now active
Tuesday’s missed court appearance reportedly resulted in Judge Gluck issuing a bench warrant for Lyle’s arrest.
A bench warrant authorizes law enforcement officers to take a defendant into custody after the individual fails to appear in court as required.
According to New Jersey Judiciary records, Lyle’s Beachwood case is now listed as “Failure to Appear” with an active warrant.
